Silence. I took it as my permission to continue.
“They would never suspect I would leave my best friend, my dad, anyone I cared about just out in the open. Beau, I’m saying we have time.”
I decide against speaking anything further, allowing him to process my suggestion.
I understood how it sounded, and truthfully, it was more concerning to myself than anyone else. I was afraid, I was terrified. When the time comes to drink from that chalice, who would I become? Would I die and reincarnate into a spirit, able to walk the afterlife? Would I see my mom again? I can’t handle this anymore. I want to be normal, I want to be Maya Brixton again. The ordinary, nineteen-year-old girl who no one really knows. The girl who drinks pear smoothies and reads books all day. I’m still so young – I want to dance, and travel and move far away with Mags to the school of my dreams. I want a good job, a safe job. And I want to live a long, happy, healthy life and die in my sleep, only to meet my mom again when the time comes.
But no.
My life, as it turns out, was nothing short of a disaster. I’ve entered the gates of Beau Gabriel, and I am locked in for eternity.
Beau cleared his throat, breaking the silence. “What is this really about, Maya?”
I exhaled. “I just think we should take some time to relax. We’ve been driving for hours and –”
“Don’t lie to me,” he released, his stare undefiable.
Tears welled in my waterline. I knew Beau could read my thoughts, but he wanted me to say it out loud. He wanted me to be honest with him. He wanted my vulnerability.
“I’m so tired of everything, Beau.” My chin quivered, attempting to keep the sadness at bay. “Braum’s father is dead, Ky is dead, everything – all of it, my life, everyone’s lives… Everything is just so messed up now.”
Tears glossed my vision, blurring my sight. I can’t drive like this. I pulled over to the side of the road, parking on the gravel pavement.
I turned to Beau, his expression unreadable.
“I was so normal before I met you.” I chewed on my lip, looking down at my fingers. “I had a good plan, a normal plan. School, work… Maybe one day, I would have owned a dog.” I shook my head, chuckling flatly. “And now, people are dying, demons are tormenting everyone in my life… because of me.”
Beau opened his mouth to protest but I couldn’t bear any more words of comfort. All I heard were the soft sobs escaping my throat.
“My mom’s life got taken, because of me.”
Beau unbuckled his seatbelt, drawing me into his arms. We sat for a while, his warmth protecting me from the intrusive thoughts and grim feelings.
I was never much of a crier, up until now. I felt like crying was the only thing I knew how to do. The last thing I wanted was a pity party. There were people who had it much worse, I knew that. Hell, Beau lived on Earth for so long – no wonder his skin was impenetrable.
But me, I – I was unprepared, for all of it. I got thrown into this mess of a life, and I wanted to hate Beau for it. Everything went wrong when he came into the picture. Stop this, Maya. This wasn’t his doing.
I knew that. I knew it wasn’t Beau’s fault, none of it was. He didn’t ask this of me, a higher power did. For whatever reason, my mom had to die so I could live. For whatever reason, I was the key to something bigger than any of us could’ve imagined. But I don’t want to imagine it. Not right now, not tonight.
Beau released me gently, wiping the tears from my cheeks. “What did you have in mind?”
I sniffled. “What?”
“My birthday,” he smiled softly. “Cake? Balloons?”
I laughed, rubbing my puffy eyes. “Seriously? You’re okay with it?”
“You’re the party planner.” He reached over the gear shift and turned the car keys, starting the ignition. “I can wear a blindfold if you don’t want me to see your surprises.”
I swatted his arm and bit my lip, beaming from ear to ear. Beau nudged his head forward and I pulled onto the street.
Nerves of excitement took over my entire being, dissipating all feelings of pain and strife. I pushed my foot on the gas and continued to the destination of normalcy. I knew what tomorrow would bring – I would be in Port Hope, accepting my destiny as the key to stopping a holy war. But if something were to go wrong tomorrow, I would deal with it tomorrow, as the Puritas. What I did have was this moment, alone with Beau, on what could be my last day of being Maya Brixton.
I glanced once more at Beau and smiled ahead, throwing any sign of painful irrationality out of my mind. “Happy birthday, Beau.”
Chapter 37
Pinestone, 22 Hours
Mags paced around the room, twirling her hair nervously. She didn’t know if she believed everything she’d seen over the last few hours, but the only choice she really had was to accept the unbelievable.
“Why the fuck won’t you open!” Tommy yelled, violently fiddling with the doorknob. He eventually gave up and paced around the room, holding his hands above his head. “What the fuck are we doing here, Mags?”
Yet another question Mags didn’t have the answer to. Despite the confusion, the haziness and the secrets, Mags was confident in one thing: she trusted Maya. For the last little while of her life, Mags couldn’t recount a single thing that happened, other than the cellar. Though, one thing she was positively certain about was that panicking was going to get them killed.
“Just leave it, Tommy.” Mags said, slumping down against the wall.
“How are you so calm right now?” Tommy raged. “Ky is dead, Mike is dead, Maya and… whoever the fuck kidnapped us and –”
“Just shut up, Tommy! Jesus!” Mags snapped.
Every single thought in Mags’ head pounced in her brain, banging against her skull. Within the past twenty-four hours, she discovered that her supposed hookup was a demon, Beau was an angel and Maya was some saviour of the holy war. My best friend… has power. Beau… is an angel, with wings and Siles… he’s a – he’s a demon from hell. Siles… Parts of me cared for Siles… but all this time, he wanted me dead. He wants me –
In the corner of her eye, Mags noticed a red hue illuminating the crack underneath the door. She scrunched her eyebrows and quickly placed a finger over her lip, directing Tommy to stay quiet. Tommy moved back slowly as Mags approached the front entrance, tiptoeing carefully.
Bang! Bang! Bang! The door vibrated loudly, causing her to leap off the ground.
“I know you’re in there!” a woman spat. A pit of nails scratched against Mags’ insides. She recognized that voice, clear as day. “I can smell you.”
Tommy began to shake. “Marina…” he uttered.
Marina… the girl from the cellar… with Siles.
Cold shivers constricted every fibre of Mags’ being. She remembered how Marina took complete control over Braum, and the slow burn of her own free-will fleeing her body.
The wooden door began to melt into nothing, disintegrating to ash. There, Marina stood with fire blazing at her fingertips. “Finally.” She smirked.
Mags grabbed hold of Tommy’s hand, closing her eyes. She didn’t know what was going to happen, what ways Marina would torture her. She thought about her family and if they would find her out here one day. Her dead body, rotting in the unknown. When it would come time to her funeral, her cause of death would read: Murdered by Demon. I hope it doesn’t hurt…
But Marina couldn’t enter.
She slammed at the opening repeatedly, while a white hue bubbled through the transparency of the door.
“What is this!” Marina snapped. She screamed throwing a ball of fire, but the white hue deflected her power.
Tommy gasped in shock. “Did she just…” Tommy choked. “Mags, was that –”
Only then did Mags accept the truth of everything. Beau had sealed the door with his grace, which is why Marina couldn’t get in. Beau really is an angel… She can’t get in. Siles isn’t here anymore. He can’t control me. Everything is real, this is rea
l. I am living in a world where demons walk the Earth, and one is standing right in front of me.
A surge of power came over Mags, adrenaline filling her veins. She dusted off her knees and marched to the door, facing Marina through the impenetrable barrier.
Mags smiled, knowing there was nothing Marina could do. Marina’s eyes turned blood red as black veins coiled around the perimeter of her face. She growled infuriatingly, banging her hand against the invisible shield.
“Careful Marina, your demon is showing.” Mags taunted.
Marina huffed with anger. “You will lose. I will kill everyone you love! Starting with that useless Puritas!”
Mags wasn’t very religious, even though her mom raised her to believe in a higher power. She was aware of the stories people told – Lucifer fell from Paradise, dragging down thrones of angels on his influence. There was always a separation in the world, the great divide of good and evil. Standing before her, a real demon, a monster that despite her power, could not control it.
Mags had faith in Maya and surprisingly… in Beau. Though she didn’t really know Beau, Mags was always good at reading people. Now, did angels count as people? That was a mystery. But Mags saw how calculated Beau was. She didn’t believe he would use his abilities for the wrong reasons. She saw his patience, his will to do good. There was something about Beau… A troubled past with redemption? And who grants redemption? Never the fallen. She knew that the good always triumphed the bad, even when it didn’t seem that way.
I have faith…
Without hesitation, Mags reached through the door and grabbed Marina’s shirt by the collar. She gripped the fabric and yanked her closer to the barrier. The grace scorched Marina’s cheek, burning a black slab of lava into her skin.
She released the yelping Marina who stumbled back, holding her face with two hands.
Mags crossed her arms and scowled at the cowering demon who now seemed so helpless. “I’d like to see you try.”
Chapter 38
Beech County, 18 Hours
I spent the late afternoon picking out an outfit for Beau along the strip of downtown Beech County. There were only a few vintage clothing shops, but I managed to make do with what I had. The sun had just set and I couldn’t be bothered to spend all night plucking shirts from shelves when I had birthday plans for us. Beau dressed decently well, but rather plain. Mind you, it worked for him, but I would be lying if I said I didn’t fantasize about him in a nice button up and some slacks that hugged the curve of his –
“Maya, room key please.” Beau smirked, interrupting my thoughts.
Ah, yuck. I shook my head and blushed, rummaging through my purse for the stupid card.
Beau moved in front of me, leaning against our room door. His natural musk of pine and mint flooded my senses as he grabbed hold of my chin and lifted it to face him. “If you want, I can show you those curves right now.”
Oh my God… I keep forgetting he can read my thoughts. I shoved past him, concealing the small smile that crept on my face.
I checked us in to the first hotel that was within walking distance of the two pubs in the area. We had made a quick pit stop to the liquor store before entering the building – God knows how expensive purchasing drinks was at the bar. I hadn’t ever seen Beau drunk, but from what I remember of his impressive Whisky collection, he was no stranger to alcohol.
“You know Maya, I watched you run in front of a car when you were eight because you wanted to see if the driver would stop,” he began, closing the door behind us. “I’ve seen you jump over a firepit to prove that you wouldn’t burn to death, and yet, this still may be the dumbest idea you’ve ever had.” He laughed, plopping down onto the double bed.
I always forgot that Beau had known me for so long, watching me from afar ever since I was born. I remember when he first told me that, it kept me up at night – realizing how old Beau really was and how well he truly knew me. And yet here I was, knowing only the parts he allowed himself to show me.
Beau had been around for almost two centuries… Who did he meet? What sins has he committed that turned his scars black? What places has he visited? What girls has he… Never mind.
I cleared my throat, shrugging my shoulders. “A dumb idea is better than no idea at all.” I heard my dad’s lackluster advice prod its way into my brain. I’m too young to be that old.
I set my backpack down, examining my surroundings. The room was quite small, but cozy. There was a standard bathroom, a wall mounted TV, a floor length mirror and a closet all encased by periwinkle walls.
I walked over to the window which overlooked a lake, encompassed by willow trees and boat docks. When my mom was still alive, my dad would drive us to our family cottage in Springs County, about two hours out of Kleaton’s Gate. I would sit by the window, much like this one, with my mom at my side and watch the loons swim by. She used to tell me about her childhood then, how much she loved the water. How much she loved me.
“You know,” Beau approached, positioning himself next to me. “I would capture the moon if I could.”
I glanced up at him in bewilderment. “What?” I chuckled softly. “What do you mean?”
He kept his eyes forward, staring at the moonlight illuminating the calm waters. “Before the fall, Lucifer fought with God, arguing about power and control – just completely senseless. But God didn’t give up on him, didn’t want to. So, He gave Lucifer the opportunity to prove himself, to prove that he could control such a great deal of power and grace without fault.”
I watched him without saying a word. This was the first time I’d seen Beau talk about his home, his history… about Heaven.
“God granted Lucifer the power of the moon. It signified that even through the darkness, there would always be light.”
I shook my head, lost for words. “Wait… So, Lucifer controls the moon?”
“In theory.”
“But – he fell? Why didn’t God take that away from him? He’s horrible.”
Beau turned to me, his eyes glossed with a silver sheen. “God can’t take away anything that He’s given. That’s why you’re important.”
My mouth dried, thinking about me, the Puritas, and whatever power I held that God bestowed upon me. I didn’t understand it; the grace I possessed that could give me the ability to fulfill such a task – whatever this task entailed. But I have to do it, for my mom, for everyone.
“Because… Because I can lift condemned souls, somehow.”
He nodded, turning to face the window again. “Somehow.”
Beau was silent for a few moments, half of his face shaded by the shadows of the cornered darkness. Then, he took in a tired breath and relaxed.
“We can’t see the moon from Heaven, only the sun. God is the sun, the light – Lucifer is the moon.” He faced me, tension slicing the space between our breaths. “A shining star among a sea of devils.”
I kept my jaw tight, staring at the evident torment in his eyes. I’d never seen Beau so vulnerable before, so bare and exposed. He’d never shown this side of himself to me, ever.
He glanced one last time at the moon and leaned his back against the window. “I’d capture the moon just to see it shine in Heaven. I don’t understand how something so bright can be in possession of something so dark.”
I tempered my breaths as best as I could, my heart hammering in my chest. “This is the first time you talked about your past.”
“You never really asked.” His stature was still and composed.
“Is it weird that I’m afraid to?”
He lifted an eyebrow and chuckled softly. “It’d be weird if you weren’t afraid.”
I faced him with intent, and he mirrored my movements. “Do you ever get lonely? You’ve lived on Earth for so long and you’re always… alone.” I questioned, regretting it almost instantly. “I – I don’t mean that in a bad way, I think it’s good to be alone sometimes. I just… You went from being surrounded by angels all the time, to being the sole angel to
walk the Earth.”
“You’re right.”
“Do you have any friends?”
A light laugh. “I’ve made a few.” He turned his gaze back to the view outside our window. “I never did well with attachments.”
I figured that much. Beau had always been stand-offish, since the day I met him. He had a personality that welcomed you in, but at a distance. Everything he did, every move, every word was precise. He controlled his surroundings, never straying off the stream. But… what made him this way?
“Not everyone is going to hurt you, you know?” I contested. I don’t know why I assumed that someone hurt him. I guess, to me, coldness sprouted from pain… and Beau had told me nothing of his.
He remained silent, his eyes fixated on mine.
“I mean,” I spoke carefully. “At the end of the day, we all need someone. I’m sure not everyone will love you, but if you close yourself off, you’re limiting your chances of finding something good.”
“Maybe that’s the point.” His answer was abrupt and distant, even though he stood right next to me.
I had never seen Beau so stoic and unmoved, yet riling with emotion all at the same time. It was… odd. Sad? I didn’t know what to make of it.
“Or maybe…” I swallowed, “You’re just waiting for someone to fix the things someone broke in you.”
His jaw twitched, his eyes zeroing into mine with painful intent. A flicker of sadness blanketed his vision – that, was evident.
“You’re very wise.” He wore a dark expression as he chuckled, brushing a loose strand of hair from my face. “Observant.”
My heart thumped in my chest. “Then why? Why don’t you do attachments?”
He inhaled a deep breath, biting down on his bottom teeth. His eyes diverted to the window for a moment, then met mine with precision. “Because once you let someone in, you give them the power to break your heart.”
I couldn’t even find the words to respond before he moved back into the room and rummaged through the bags of clothing I purchased at the strip.
The Gates of Gabriel Page 20